Bench clamp



izs; 1959 Fig.

'J. oLsEN BENCH CLAMP Filed April 9, 1957 i'MMMMMMM I ph Olsen INVENTOR.

BENCH CLAIWP Joseph Olsen, Portland, Oreg. Application April 9, 1957, Serial No. 651,742 I zfclaim. l. 144-304) This invention pertains to bench, et'c., clamps and has for one of its important objects to provide improved means for positively securing the device in position on a bench, table or the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a clamp of the character set forth comprising novel means for retaining the aforementioned improved securing means in inoperative position when the device is not in use.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved clamp of the aforementioned character which will be of relatively simple construction, durable and of light weight and which may be produced at reasonable cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of an improved clamp constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the device in position on a work bench or table which is shown in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the device, showing the securing means in retracted or inoperative position, a corner portion of said device being broken away and in section; and

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section through the device, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1.

The embodiment of this invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially U-shaped metallic frame which is designated generally by reference character 4. One end portion 5 of the frame 4 is provided with a stationary jaw 6. Threadedly mounted in the other end portion 7 of the frame 4 is a screw shaft 8. A movable jaw 9, which is cooperable with the stationary jaw 6, is swivelly mounted on one end portion of the screw shaft 8. An operating handle or lever 10 is mounted for transverse sliding movement in a head 11 on the other end of the screw shaft 8. Of course, the

jaws 6 and 9 are for the reception of the work'therebetween, as indicated at 12.

Fixed as by welding on the opposite sides of the bight portion 13 and the end portion 5 of the frame 4 is a pair of spaced, opposed, substantially L-shaped flanges 14. Adjacent the angles thereof the opposed, substantially L-shaped flanges 14 have formed therein transversely aligned notches or recesses 15 the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Extending between one end portion of the flanges 14 is a pin 16. Journaled for swinging movement on the pin 16 is a threaded securing pin, bolt or rod 17. The rod 17 is frictionally engageable between the flanges 14 when the device is not in use and said rod includes flat longitudinal side portions 18 which contact said flanges. A nut 19 is threaded on the free end portion of the rod 17.

Extending between the flanges 14 at the angles thereof nited States Patent 0 2,896,681 Patented July 28, 1959 is. 'a pin 20. A threaded securing pin, bolt or rod 21 is journaled for swinging movement on the pin 20 and has threaded on its free end portion a nut 22. The nut 22, when the rod 21 is in inoperative position as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, is engageable with the other ends of the flanges 14. The rod 21 is provided with flat longitudinal side portions 23 for frictional contact with the flanges 14. When in an inoperative position, the rod 17 parallels the bight portion 13 of the frame 4. When. the rod 21 is in an inoperative position, said rod 21.parallels the end portion 5 of the frame 4.

In Figure 1 of the drawing, reference character 24 designates a portion of a work bench top having spaced vertical openings 25 therein. In use, the rods 17 and 21 are inserted through the selected openings 25 for mounting the frame 4 horizontally on its bight portion 13 on the bench 24. The nuts 19 and 22 are then tightened beneath the bench 24 for positively securing the device in position on said bench. When the clamp is not in use the nuts 19 and 22 are removed for permitting the rods 17 and 21 to be withdrawn from the openings 25. The nut 19 is then started on the free end portion of the rod 17 and said rod is swung upwardly between the longitudinal legs of the flanges 14, the notches 15 accommodating said nut. The nut 19 may then be tightened on the flanges 14 for positively securing the rod 17 in inoperative position. The nut 22 is started on the rod 21 which is swung upwardly on its pivot pin 20 between the vertical end legs of the flanges 14. The nut 22 may then be tightened on the adjacent ends of the flanges 14 for positively securing the rod 21 in inoperative position. Thus, the securing rods 17 and 21. are positively secured in an out-of-the-way position when the clamp is not in use and the threads on said rods are fully protected against damage. If desired, the frame 4 may be mounted vertically on the end portion 5 thereof on the bench 24. When so mounted only the rod 21 and the nut 22 are used for securing the clamp in position, said rod 21 being inserted in one of the bench holes 25. By loosening the nut 22 the clamp may be rotatably adjusted on the bench 24 in an obvious manner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A clamp comprising: a substantially U-shaped frame, a pair of opposed co-acting jaws on said frame, a pair of spaced, opposed, substantially L-shaped flanges on the bight and one end portion of the frame, said flange projecting pastthe edges of said bight and one end portion of the frame and having straight, right angularly related outer edges engageable with the support for mounting said frame selectively in a horizontal or vertical position thereon, and means for securing the frame on the support, said means including a bolt pivotally mounted between the flanges at the angle of the L and insertable through the support when the frame is in either position thereon, and a retaining nut threaded on said bolt, said means further including a bolt pivotally mounted between the flanges at one end portion thereof and insertable through the support, said flanges having notches therein, the second named bolt being swingable between and frictionally engageable with the flanges when in inoperative position, and a nut threaded on said second named bolt and engageable with the support for securing the frame in position thereon and further being engageable in the notches with the flanges for securing the second named bolt in inoperative position therebetween.

2. A clamp comprising a pair of opposed L-shaped flanges, a U-shaped, clamp frame secured between said flanges, with the flanges projecting beyond said frame along the bight portion and one leg thereof, a pair of retaining pins pivotally connected to either end of one leg of each of said L-shaped flanges for mounting said clamp to a supporting surface, said one leg paralleling said bight portion, said pins being swingable to an inoperative position Within the confines of the outer edges of said flanges, and means for retaining said pins in the inoperative position, one of said retaining'pins being connected at the junction of the two legs of each L-shaped flange, the other pin being connected at the free end of said one flange leg, said retaining means including a notch formed in said flanges adjacent said one pin, said pins being threaded, nuts threadedly secured to said pins, said one pin being of sufiicient length to project beyond the other flange leg so that the nut on said one pin may be threaded thereon to retain said one pin in parallel relation to said other flange leg, said other pin being of sufficient length to project into said notch so that the nut thereon may be threaded to engage the edges of said notch and retain said one pin in parallel relation to said one flange leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

